I signed up for the Don't Fence Me In 30k about three months ago.  I had signed up for it last year, but had to cancel due to a wedding that I had to attend, so I was really looking forward to running it this year.  This race is also part of the LaSportiva Mountain Cup series and draws some very good runners.  The course hooks up several trails in the Helena area that I run frequently.  About 7 weeks ago I suffered a stress fracture in my left heel (not really sure how) and that ended my running.  I just started some light jogging about a week ago and knew that there was no way in hell I'd be able to do the 30k this Saturday (5/10).  I had signed up my DD to run the 12k (it's actually 14k) at the same time I signed up for the 30k, as she would be visiting from Milwaukee.  So I called the folks at the Prickly Pear Land Trust who put on the race and they were more than happy to move me down to the 12k.  The Prickly Pear Land Trust is the outfit that has put together this wonderful system of trails through purchases, leases and easements.  They also do all the maintenance (w/ volunteers).  They are continually looking to add even more trails and ways to hook more trails together.  They are the main reason that Helena probably enjoys one of the best local trail systems in the world!

The 12k (14k) while significantly shorter is no walk in the park, it boasts 1500'+ of elevation gain, some of it very steep.  This would be my longest run, if I made it, since February and double of the couple of jogs I had done the week prior.  I also knew that my heel could mean pulling out, as it's not 100%.  So there was definitely some trepidation.  The weather though was absolutely perfect- high 40's with clouds rolling in.  Knowing all the trails intimately was a plus as was the thought of running with my DD.

she has good taste in shoes too

The race starts out on ~ .5 miles of pavement and I could quickly feel my heel rebelling.  Fortunately the trail started soon enough and the heel felt better.  Not long after the trail starts you get a good taste of elevation gain.  My daughter runs in Milwaukee, almost exclusively on the road, so I knew this would be difficult for her.  I had her walk all of the steep uphills, knowing that she would catch me in the downhills and flats.  I passed a lot of folks going uphill, only to have them pass me on the downhills- I'm still aways out from actually running, fast jogging is the most I dare for now.

After passing lots of folks on the uphills (including my DD) I would then get to see most of them again on the downhill  This went on for the next 7-ish miles, although the number of folks re-passing me was getting a little less.  After coming down a steep trail, the race finishes with ~ 1/4 mile of pavement.  This short stretch of pavement really had my heel suffering (it was already getting pretty sore from the trails), but the finish line was insight.  I ended finishing a few minutes ahead of my DD, she settled in with a group of gals that were all running the same pace.

DD and myself, not too much worse for the wear.

they say third times the charm, so hopefully next year I'll finally run the Don't Fence Me In 30k

Congratulations! It is great you were able to race despite the injury...and nice you ran with your daughter.

Nice that you were able to run with your DD. Hope your heel starts to turn the corner and get better soon.

congrats to you both.

So glad you are running again.  Keep it steady in the build up to avoid the same problem.  Did you have a bone density test just to make sure there is nothing underlying (men can get osteopenia and  osteoporosis too)?

 

Look like a great day with your DD, how fun.

Nice to see you running again Warden!  Congrats on salvaging the day and getting some race miles in with the DD...you guys look like you had a great time.  For some reason I was picturing your daughter with a huge mustache .  Thanks for RR and glad to hear the heel is healing.

Congratulations on getting back out on the trails and running with your daughter! Hope your heel gets better!

thanks everyone  I thought I might have overdone it, but happy to report my heel feels much better today- well enough I'll go for a run this evening

 no offense but I think she is a lot easier on the eyes!

 

 

Why don't you visit her in Milwaukee and we can get the two of you out on some of the great trails just a short ways west of there?

that goes w/o saying

it's been a couple of years since we visited, so yeah it'll be our turn to travel next- when that happens would love to meet up for some running!